In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Get You Kicks on Route 66
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Plan to motor west
Take my way, the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66
It winds from Chicago to la
More than two thousand miles all the way
Get your kicks on Route 66
Now you go through St. Louie
Joplin, Missouri
Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty
You'll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff Arizona
Don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route six six
Now you go through St. Louie
Joplin, Missouri
Ok City looks mighty pretty
Now you'll see Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff Arizona
Don't forget Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Won't you get hip to this timely tip
When you make that California trip
Get your kicks on Route 66
Get your kicks on Route six six
Get your kicks on Route 66
Asleep At The Wheel's song, "Get Your Kicks on Route 66," is a classic ode to the historic highway that runs from Chicago to Los Angeles, covering more than two thousand miles. The lyrics speak to the spirit of adventure and discovery, urging listeners to take their journeys on this iconic road. The song embodies the American ideal of "the road trip" and celebrates the many attractions along the way, from the majestic landscapes to the quirky roadside attractions.
The first verse implores listeners to take "my way, the highway that's the best," and the chorus repeats the refrain to "get your kicks on Route 66." The second verse mentions some of the highlights along the way, including St. Louis, Joplin, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, and Flagstaff. Even the small town of Winona gets a shoutout. The final verse urges travelers to heed a timely tip and that is to get their kicks on Route 66 when taking the California trip. The song is an inspiring and fun tribute to a legendary American roadway.
Line by Line Meaning
If you ever
In case you ever
Plan to motor west
Intend to drive towards the western part of the country
Take my way, the highway that's the best
Use the route I recommend as it's the most optimal
Get your kicks on Route 66
Have a good time by driving on Route 66
It winds from Chicago to la
The highway goes from Chicago all the way to LA making it quite long
More than two thousand miles all the way
The distance covered by the highway is actually more than 2,000 miles
Now you go through St. Louie
Moving on, you move through St. Louis
Joplin, Missouri
Next stop is Joplin, Missouri
Oklahoma City looks mighty pretty
Oklahoma City is quite beautiful
You'll see Amarillo
Then comes Amarillo
Gallup, New Mexico
After Amarillo, you'll find Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff Arizona
Flagstaff in Arizona is also on the way
Don't forget Winona
It's also important to not miss Winona
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernadino
Lastly, you'll pass through Kingman, Barstow, and San Bernadino
Won't you get hip to this timely tip
Here's an important suggestion for you
When you make that California trip
When you finally travel to California
Get your kicks on Route six six
Enjoy your trip and have fun by driving on Route 66
Get your kicks on Route 66
Have a good time on Route 66
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@j40bob1
388 people gave it thumbs down. How is that possible? Western swing is happy music and no one does it better than this band.
@MrPhilfridge
Not responsible for any dislike, but there is an element of jazz in this bands sound and a lot of people hate jazz, plus the best versions of this song for me tend to be by British 60's r n b bands who introduce a rawness into the song which grab me far more than this. I like this bands authenticity but not everything they do
@rogerpaddock6785
Amen 40bob
@revpawpaw
Ray and the band are incredible. They've been doing this over 40 years. Never quitting or compromising. Sometimes working just for food. They've stuck to it. I love their music and will always be a fan. They deserve everything they are enjoying. They've earned it.
@raymondmaynard2438
That’s. Real musicians when play to eat
@tomtaylor7125
I've told my wife if she wakes up some morning and thinks that I have died that before calling the undertaker put some head phones on me and plug this song in. If there is an ounce of life left in me my right leg will start pumpin and I will soon be up and jumpin around.
@clairharrison1463
😂😂😂